What to Do When Your Kid Discovers Porn

In the decades before the Internet, kids might've found a Playboy or Playgirl magazine hidden in a parents' drawer, but the world of pornography was otherwise more underground. It is probably safe to say that sheltering kids from pornography today is much more complicated. These days, kids who spend any time on the Internet can all too easily find porn, whether intentionally or not. When this happens, what should parents do?

If your kids are not afraid or embarrassed to talk to bring you their questions about sex, they are much more likely to be transparent when the subject of pornography comes up. But even with that transparency, knowing that your child is viewing porn can be difficult in the age of the Internet.

No matter what your approach to your online controls, sooner or later you may have to talk directly with your child about pornography. Laying the groundwork mentioned above will make it easier to have this conversation when your child shows that he or she is ready or in need.

Pornography is a challenging subject to discuss with kids, no doubt about it. But I strongly believe that you can remove a lot of its allure — and relieve a lot of your own anxiety — by explaining what it's really about and teaching kids to take responsibility for their own well-being.